JP7371538B2 - Slot antenna device, communication system, and method for adjusting radiation angle in slot antenna device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slot antenna device, a communication system, and a method of adjusting a radiation angle in a slot antenna device.

Conventionally, a dielectric waveguide is provided with a plurality of slots that radiate electromagnetic waves at predetermined intervals on the same surface, a printed circuit board is provided with through holes at positions facing the slots, and a printed circuit board is provided with through holes located opposite the slots. There is a dielectric waveguide slot array antenna made of a metal plate with through holes at each position. A slot is formed adjacent to each of the plurality of slots, a through hole is formed in the printed circuit board facing the slot, and a through hole is formed in the metal plate (for example, Patent Document (see 1).

Further, in the corrugated leaky waveguide, in which through holes for leaking radio waves are formed in the hollow conductor at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and irregularities are formed alternately in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the hollow conductor, the through holes are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction. There is a corrugated leaky waveguide characterized by changing either or both of the interval between holes and the pitch of the unevenness (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, there is a slot array antenna in which a slot plate and a dielectric plate are integrated and the dielectric plate has an inclination angle to correct the tilt angle θ of the radiation directional main beam (for example, see Patent Document 3). .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-217864 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-068733 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-147169

By the way, none of the documents discloses variably setting the angle at which the slots radiate radio waves in a slot antenna device using a waveguide provided with a plurality of slots.

The disclosed technology has been made in view of this point, and aims to provide a slot antenna device, a communication system, and a method for adjusting the radiation angle in the slot antenna device that can variably set the radiation angle of radio waves. purpose.

The slot antenna device disclosed in the present application includes a waveguide, a slot provided on a side wall of the waveguide, and a slot antenna device that is attached to the waveguide so as to be slidable in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot, and A dielectric member having a first section covering the slot at one slide position and a second section covering the slot at a second slide position adjacent to the first slide position, the first section and the second section covering the slot at a second slide position adjacent to the first slide position. The sections include dielectric members having different dielectric constants or different thicknesses.

According to one aspect of the slot antenna device capable of variably setting the radiation angle of radio waves, the communication system, and the method of adjusting the radiation angle in the slot antenna device disclosed in the present application, the angle at which the slot radiates radio waves can be variably set. This effect can be achieved because it can be set to .

3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 300. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an office room 500 in which a communication system 300 is installed. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a waveguide 110. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a slot antenna device 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400 from two directions. 4 is a diagram showing a slot array antenna 411. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of slot antenna device 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of slot antenna device 400. 7 is a diagram showing the operation when there are four slot array antennas 411A to 411D. FIG. It is a figure showing slot antenna device 400S of a modification of an embodiment. It is a figure showing slot antenna device 400M of a modification of an embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation of slot antenna device 400M. It is a figure explaining operation of slot antenna device 400M. It is a figure showing slot antenna device 400M2 of a modification of an embodiment.

Embodiments to which the slot antenna device, communication system, and method of adjusting the radiation angle in the slot antenna device of the present invention are applied will be described below.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 300. Communication system 300 includes a slot antenna device 100 and an eNodeB (evolved Node B) 200. The communication system 300 is, for example, a system that employs a cellular system and performs wireless communication.

The eNodeB 200 is an example of a base station, and includes a BBU (Base Band Unit) 210, an RRH (Remote Radio Head) 220A, 220B, and a coaxial waveguide converter 230. The eNodeB 200 is connected to the core network 500 via an optical fiber. The core network 500 is a large-capacity communication line and is an example of a backbone network or backbone.

BBU 210 is a device that performs baseband processing. The BBU 210 is provided within the eNodeB 200 and is connected to the RRHs 220A and 220B via optical fibers.

RRHs 220A and 220B are wireless devices. A plurality of RRHs 220A and 220B are provided in one eNodeB 200, and two RRHs 220A and 220B are shown in FIG. RRHs 220A and 220B are connected to waveguides 110A and 110B of slot antenna device 100 via coaxial waveguide converter 230, respectively. The waveguides 110A and 110B are examples of waveguides and are made of metal.

Note that if the RRHs 220A and 220B are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as RRH 220. Moreover, when the waveguides 110A and 110B are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as waveguides 110.

The coaxial waveguide converter 230 connects the coaxial cables on the RRH 220A, 220B side and the waveguides 110A, 110B of the slot antenna device 100, respectively, and the coaxial cable and the waveguides 110A, 110B. This is a converter that can convert power in both directions.

Slot antenna device 100 includes waveguides 110A and 110B. Slots 111 (111A to 111C) are provided in the waveguide 110A. Further, although the slots of the waveguide 110B are omitted here, the waveguide 110B also has similar slots. Further, as an example, a configuration in which the waveguide 110A has three slots 111 (111A to 111C) is shown, but the number of slots 111 is not limited to this.

Slot 111A is closest to RRH 220A, and slot 111C is furthest from RRH 220A. In the following, the slots 111A to 111C will be simply referred to as slots 111 unless otherwise distinguished.

The waveguide 110 is connected to the RRH 220 via a coaxial waveguide converter 230, and the slots 111A to 111C radiate radio waves propagating inside the waveguide 110 to the outside of the waveguide 110. Provides a communication area where wireless communication is possible using the cellular method.

The UE (User Equipment) 10 receives radio waves emitted from the slots 111A to 111C within the communication area, and is capable of bidirectional data communication with the core network 500 via the waveguide 110 and the eNodeB 200. .

The slot antenna device 100 can have a configuration in which the amount of radio wave radiation of each of the slots 111A to 111C can be variably set. An example of such a slot antenna device 100 will be described later using FIG. 3. The radio wave radiation amount is the intensity of the radio waves and defines the size of the communication area.

Note that the UE 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet computer, a smartphone terminal, or another device that can perform wireless communication in accordance with the cellular system.

Furthermore, although the communication system 300 is of a cellular type here, it may be of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) type, for example. In the case of a wireless LAN system, an AP (Access Point) may be included instead of the eNodeB 200, connected to the Internet instead of the core network 500, and a terminal similar to the UE 10 may perform data communication. A terminal in such a wireless LAN system may be called a station.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an office room 500 in which the communication system 300 is installed. In FIG. 2, a shelf 5, a desk 6, a chair 7, a partition 8, a large monitor 9, etc. are arranged on a floor 500A of an office room 500, and a PC 10A is placed on the desk 6. are arranged and show how employees are working.

For example, the BBU 210 is housed inside the shelf 5, the RRH 220A is housed inside the desk 6, and the RRH 220B is placed behind the ceiling 500B. In FIG. 2, the optical fiber connecting the BBU 210 and the RRHs 220A and 220B and the coaxial waveguide converter 230 (see FIG. 1) are omitted. Note that the RRH 220A may be provided under the floor 500A.

The waveguide 110A connected to the RRH 220A is provided in a U-shape along the edge of the partition 8 provided between the opposing desks 6, and has slots 111A to 111C. The slots 111A to 111C radiate radio waves toward the desk 6 and provide communication areas 50 (50A to 50C), respectively. A PC 10A is placed on the desk 6, and is capable of wireless communication through radio waves emitted from slots 111A to 111C. Note that the waveguide 110A may be embedded in the upper surface of the desk 6, and in this case, the slots 111A to 111C may be provided so as to be exposed from the upper surface of the desk 6.

For example, one slot 111A to 111C is assigned to each employee who works at the desk 6. Therefore, the intervals at which the slots 111A to 111C are arranged correspond to the intervals between the employee's work spaces at the desk 6.

The arrangement of the slots 111A to 111C at such intervals is significantly different from the interval between multiple slots in a general slot antenna (typically about half a wavelength to one wavelength at a communication frequency), and is approximately 10 wavelengths apart. It is desirable that the distance be at least 100 meters. If they are separated by 10 wavelengths or more, the radio waves radiated from adjacent slots 111A to 111C have little influence on each other, making it possible to obtain mutually independent communication areas 50A to 50C.

Moreover, the waveguide 110B connected to the RRH 220B is arranged behind the ceiling 500B, and the slot 111A of the waveguide 110B is exposed on the ceiling 500B. The slot 111A of the waveguide 110B radiates radio waves toward the large monitor 9 and provides a communication area 50. The large monitor 9 is disposed within a communication area 50 using radio waves emitted from the slot 111A of the waveguide 110B, and is capable of wireless communication. The large monitor 9 displays data received by wireless communication within the communication area 50 defined by the slot 111A of the waveguide 110B.

Thus, communication system 300 includes waveguide 110. The waveguide 110 has the advantage of low transmission loss, which is very advantageous especially when transmitting in a high frequency band (eg, millimeter wave band). This is an advantage of the waveguide 110 over coaxial cables, which have very large transmission losses in high frequency bands such as the millimeter wave band. Here, the millimeter wave band is, for example, a frequency band from about 30 GHz to about 300 GHz. An example of cellular communication that uses such a band is 5G (Fifth Generation). In 5G, 28 GHz band, 39 GHz band, etc. are used. Furthermore, in the WiFi method, there is a 60 GHz band based on IEEE802.11ad (WiGig). Note that the communication system 300 is not limited to communication use in the millimeter wave band, but can be used for communication use in bands other than the millimeter wave band.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the waveguide 110. Here, an explanation will be given using an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The waveguide 110 is a rectangular waveguide, and slots 111A to 111C are provided along the extending direction (X direction). A cross-sectional shape parallel to the YZ plane perpendicular to the extending direction (X direction) of the waveguide 110 is a rectangle having a short side in the Y direction and a long side in the Z direction. That is, FIG. 3 shows a side surface (side wall) on the long side of the waveguide 110.

The slots 111A to 111C are rectangular openings that are provided on the long side (side wall) of the waveguide 110 and have a longitudinal direction in the extending direction (X direction) of the waveguide 110. However, the opening shape of the slots 111A to 111C is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be a shape in which the long or short sides are slightly curved. Further, as an example, a configuration in which the waveguide 110A has three slots 111 (111A to 111C) is shown, but the number of slots 111 is not limited to this.

The length of the slots 111A to 111C in the long side direction is approximately 1/2 (approximately half wavelength) of the wavelength at the communication frequency of the slot antenna device 100, and the width in the short side direction is appropriate considering radiation characteristics etc. You can set it to the appropriate width.

The slot 111A is provided at a position slightly offset in the -Z direction from the center of the width of the waveguide 110 in the Z direction, and the slots 111B and 111C are provided in order at the end side of the width of the waveguide 110 in the Z direction (-Z It is provided at a position offset to the end side of the direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the slot antenna device 400. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the slot antenna device 400 from two directions. Here, an explanation will be given using an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system.

Slot antenna device 400 includes a waveguide 410 and a dielectric member 420. Slot antenna device 400 can be used in communication system 300 (see FIG. 1) instead of slot antenna device 100 (see FIG. 1).

Like the waveguide 110, the waveguide 410 has the advantage of low transmission loss, which is very advantageous especially when performing transmission in a high frequency band (eg, millimeter wave band). This is an advantage of the waveguide 410 over coaxial cables, which have very large transmission losses in high frequency bands such as the millimeter wave band.

The waveguide 410 is a rectangular waveguide, and slots 1 to 4 are provided along the extending direction (X direction). Slots 1 to 4 construct a slot array antenna 411. The cross-sectional shape of the waveguide 410 parallel to the YZ plane perpendicular to the extending direction (X direction) is a rectangle having short sides in the Y direction and long sides in the Z direction.

Here, the slot array antenna 411 will be explained using FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the slot array antenna 411.

Slot array antenna 411 has slots 1 to 4. Each of slots 1 to 4 may be the same as slot 111 (see FIG. 3), and the length in the long side direction (X direction) is approximately 1/2 ( approximately λg/2), and the width in the short side direction (Z direction) may be set to an appropriate width in consideration of radiation characteristics and the like. Note that the guide wavelength λg is the wavelength of the radio wave propagating inside the waveguide 410.

Further, the distance L13 between the centers of slot 1 and slot 3 in the X direction and the distance L24 between the centers of slot 2 and slot 4 in the X direction are 1 of the free space wavelength λ at the communication frequency of the slot antenna device 400. /2 (λ/2) or more is sufficient. Further, the length l indicated by a lowercase l in FIG. 7 is the length of one slot array antenna 411 in the X direction, and when a plurality of slot array antennas 411 are provided, the length l shown in FIG. A similar slot array antenna 411 located next to the slot array antenna 411 is provided in a section of length l located next to the section of length l. The length l=2λ.

Here, it is assumed that radio waves propagate through the waveguide 410 from the −X direction side to the +X direction side as shown by arrow A. To make the radiation intensities of slots 1 to 4 equal, the coupling with the waveguide 410 of slot 1, which is the most upstream side, should be minimized, and the coupling with the waveguide 410 of slot 1, which is the most downstream one, should be the smallest. Just make it bigger.

With respect to the central axis C passing through the center of the width of the waveguide 410 in the Z direction, slots 1 and 3 are located on the +Z direction side, and slots 2 and 4 are located on the -Z direction side. Regarding the slots 1 to 4, the distances from the end of the waveguide 410 that is closer in the Z direction to the center of each of the slots 1 to 4 in the Z direction are d1 to d4, respectively.

The distances d1 and d3 are the distances from the end of the waveguide 410 in the +Z direction, and the distances d2 and d4 are the distances from the end of the waveguide 410 in the −Z direction. In the waveguide 410, the coupling between each of the slots 1 to 4 becomes stronger as the waveguide is offset from the center of the width in the Z direction. Therefore, d1>d2>d3>d4 holds true.

Further, the phases of the radio waves radiated from slots 1 to 4 are shifted by λ/2. The radio waves radiated from these four slots 1 to 4 are radiated as one beam-shaped radio wave. Note that although a mode in which the slot array antenna 411 has four slots 1 to 4 will be described here, the number of slots that the slot array antenna 411 has may be any number as long as it is two or more.

Next, the waveguide 410 and the dielectric member 420 will be explained using FIGS. 4 to 6.

The waveguide 410 has a guide rail 415 on a side surface parallel to the XY plane. The guide rails 415 are provided on both the +Z direction side and the -Z direction side. The guide rail 415 is a rail that has a rectangular cross section parallel to the YZ plane and extends in the X direction. For example, the guide rail 415 extends over a section with a length of 5 l from the center of the waveguide 410 in the X direction. (See Figure 6). The guide rail 415 is made of metal or an insulator, for example.

The position of the guide rail 415 in the Y direction on the side surface of the waveguide 410 may be any position, but in FIGS. It is located on the +Y direction side. This is because the dielectric member 420 can more stably slide in the X direction if it is located on the +Y direction side with respect to the center of the width of the side surface of the waveguide 410 in the Y direction. The position of the guide rail 415 in the Y direction is constant from the end on the −X direction side to the end on the +X direction side.

The dielectric member 420 has a base 421 , a slope 422 , a recess 423 , and a groove 424 . The dielectric member 420 is a dielectric member having a constant (uniform) dielectric constant as a whole. The relative permittivity of the dielectric member 420 is greater than 1, more specifically greater than the relative permittivity of air.

The base 421 is an example of the first section of the dielectric member 420. The base portion 421 is the thinnest portion in the Y direction, and has a constant thickness. An inclined portion 422 is provided on the ±X direction side of the base portion 421, and a surface of the inclined portion 422 on the −Y direction side is inclined.

The inclined portion 422 is an example of a second section of the dielectric member 420. For example, the thickness of the inclined portion 422 in the Y direction increases linearly as it moves away from the base portion 421 in the X direction. The lengths of the base portion 421 and the two inclined portions 422 in the X direction are equal to the length l of the slot array antenna 411 in the X direction.

The recess 423 is formed to be recessed from the +Y direction side of the dielectric member 420 to the −Y direction side, and extends from the end of the dielectric member 420 on the −X direction side to the end of the dielectric member 420 on the +X direction side. The inner dimensions of the recess 423 are matched to the outer dimensions of the waveguide 410.

A groove 424 is provided on the inner wall of the recess 423 on the ±Z direction side. The groove portion 424 has a shape that matches the guide rail 415, and extends from the end of the dielectric member 420 on the −X direction side to the end on the +X direction side.

If the dielectric member 420 is attached so as to straddle the waveguide 410 with the guide rail 415 fitted into the groove 424, the dielectric member 420 can slide in the X direction with respect to the waveguide 410.

Here, a method for variably setting the beam radiation direction in the slot antenna device 400 will be described using FIGS. 8 and 9 in addition to FIG. 6. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating the operation of slot antenna device 400.

When the base 421 covers the slot array antenna 411 as shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the portion of the dielectric member 420 covering the slots 1 to 4 is all the same, so as shown by the arrow in the upper diagram of FIG. Then, the beam is emitted in the -Y direction.

Further, when the dielectric member 420 is slid by a length l in the −X direction from the state shown in FIG. 6, the inclined portion 422 on the +X direction side will cover the slot array antenna 411 as shown in FIG.

In this state, the thickness of the portion where the dielectric member 420 covers the slots 1 to 4 is such that slot 1 is the thinnest and slot 4 is the thickest. This means that the distances that the radio waves radiated from the slots 1 to 4 pass through the inside of the dielectric member 420 are different. Inside the dielectric, a wavelength shortening effect occurs, and the thicker the dielectric member 420, the shorter the wavelength, so the radio waves radiated from slot 1 are the fastest and the radio waves radiated from slot 4 are the slowest. . Therefore, a beam generated by combining the radio waves emitted from the slots 1 to 4 is deflected in the +X direction, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG.

That is, when the inclined portion 422 on the +X direction side covers the slot array antenna 411 as shown in FIG. 8, the radiation angle of the beam output from the slot array antenna 411 can be adjusted to the +X direction side.

Further, when the dielectric member 420 is slid by a length l in the +X direction from the state shown in FIG. 6, the slope portion 422 on the −X direction side will be in a state covering the slot array antenna 411, as shown in FIG.

In this state, the thickness of the portion of the dielectric member 420 covering the slots 1 to 4 is such that slot 1 is the thickest and slot 4 is the thinnest. Due to the wavelength shortening effect, the radio waves emitted from slot 1 become the slowest, and the radio waves emitted from slot 4 become the fastest. Therefore, a beam generated by combining the radio waves radiated from slots 1 to 4 is deflected in the −X direction, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the slope portion 422 on the -X direction side covers the slot array antenna 411, the radiation angle of the beam output from the slot array antenna 411 can be adjusted in the -X direction side. .

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation when there are four slot array antennas 411A to 411D. In FIG. 10, a waveguide 410 is provided with four slot array antennas 411A to 411D, and each of the four slot array antennas 411A to 411D is provided with dielectric members 420A to 420D movable in the X direction. shall be. Furthermore, hereinafter, the dielectric members 420A to 420D will be simply referred to as dielectric members 420 unless they are particularly distinguished.

Here, a case will be described in which slot array antennas 411A to 411D supply power to PCs 10A to 10D, respectively.

Slot array antennas 411A to 411D are arranged along the X direction, and each of slot array antennas 411A to 411D is similar to slot array antenna 411 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8 and 9. . In FIG. 10, the slot array antenna 411 is shown in a simplified manner.

Further, the dielectric members 420A to 420D are similar to the dielectric members 420 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8 and 9, and are provided to adjust the radiation angle of the slot array antennas 411A to 411D, respectively. .

Further, in FIG. 10, beams 411A1 to 411D1 radiated by slot array antennas 411A to 411D are shown as solid ellipses. Beams 411A1 to 411D1 indicate radiation ranges of beams radiated by slot array antennas 411A to 411D via dielectric members 420A to 420D, respectively.

Also, for comparison, beams 1A to 1D when radiated by one slot similar to each of slots 1 to 4 instead of slot array antennas 411A to 411D are shown by broken lines. Beams 1A to 1D indicate the radiation range of beams emitted by one slot without passing through dielectric members 420A to 420D.

When slot array antennas 411A to 411D and one slot radiate at the same output, the areas representing the radiation ranges of beams 411A1 to 411D1 and beams 1A to 1D are equal. Furthermore, the beams 411A1 to 411D1 have a longer radiation range than the beams 1A to 1D, and have narrower beam widths in the X and Z directions.

If power is radiated using one slot instead of the slot array antenna 411A, the PC 10A is within the radiation range of the beam 1A and can therefore receive power. Since the PC 10A is located in front of the slot array antenna 411A, the PC 10A can receive power when the slot array antenna 411A radiates power through the base 421 of the dielectric member 420A (see FIG. 6). Since the PC 10A is located at the center (center) of the radiation range of the beam 411A1, the base 421 of the dielectric member 420A may be used. Note that the front of the slot array antenna 411A means that there is almost no positional shift in the X direction with respect to the slot array antenna 411A.

When power is supplied by the slot array antenna 411A, the beam 411A1 has a longer radiation distance than the beam 1A and is narrowly converged. The PC 10A is at a position that can barely be reached by the radiation distance of the beam 1A, but is located approximately at the center of the radiation distance by the beam 411A1. Therefore, when power is supplied by the slot array antenna 411A, the gain increases at the PC 10A position compared to when power is supplied by one slot, and as a result, the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) increases and the transmission rate increases. .

Further, regarding the PC 10B, if power is radiated using one slot instead of the slot array antenna 411B, the PC 10B cannot receive power because it is outside the radiation range of the beam 1B. In addition, when the slot array antenna 411B radiates, the PC 10B is in front of the beam 411B1 and falls within the radiation range, so the PC 10B can receive power if it radiates through the base 421 of the dielectric member 420B (see FIG. 6). It is.

When power is supplied by slot array antenna 411B, beam 411B1 has a longer radiation distance than beam 1B, so power can be supplied even if the PC 10B is located relatively far from slot array antenna 411B.

Further, regarding the PC 10C, if power is radiated using one slot instead of the slot array antenna 411C, the PC 10C is within the radiation range of the beam 1C and can therefore receive power. Since the PC10C is offset in the +X direction from the front of the slot array antenna 411C, the radiation angle of the beam 411C1 can be adjusted in the +X direction by sliding the dielectric member 420C in the -X direction. will be able to receive power.

Furthermore, regarding the PC10D, if power is radiated from one slot instead of the slot array antenna 411D, the PC10D is relatively far from the waveguide 410 and cannot receive power because it is outside the radiation range of the beam 1D. . Since the PC 10D is offset in the -X direction from the front of the slot array antenna 411D, the radiation angle of the beam 411D1 can be adjusted in the -X direction by sliding the dielectric member 420D in the +X direction. PC10D becomes able to receive power.

In this way, by using the dielectric members 420A to 420D, it is possible to adjust the radiation angles of the slot array antennas 411A to 411D and supply power to the PCs 10A to 10D. Furthermore, compared to the case of radiation using one slot, the radiation distance can be increased by using the slot array antennas 411A to 411D.

Note that when the dielectric constants of the dielectric members 420A to 420D were set to 4, the radiation angles obtained as the beams 411C1 and 411D1 were ±10.1 degrees with respect to the -Y direction. Here, when viewed from the XY plane with respect to the -Y direction, the clockwise angle is a + angle, and the counterclockwise angle is a - angle. Furthermore, when the dielectric constants of the dielectric members 420A to 420D were set to 6, the radiation angles obtained as the beams 411C1 and 411D1 were ±23.3 degrees with respect to the −Y direction. Furthermore, when the dielectric constants of the dielectric members 420A to 420D were set to 10, the radiation angles obtained as the beams 411C1 and 411D1 were ±37.2 degrees with respect to the −Y direction. Therefore, by setting the dielectric constants of the dielectric members 420A to 420D to appropriate values, by sliding the dielectric members 420A to 420D, the entire range of beams 1A to 1D when radiated with one slot can be covered. It was confirmed that this is possible.

As described above, the radiation angle can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the dielectric members 420A to 420D with respect to the slot array antennas 411A to 411D in the X direction using the dielectric members 420A to 420D. Since the dielectric members 420A to 420D can slide in the X direction with respect to the waveguide 410, the radiation angle can be easily changed by sliding the dielectric members 420A to 420D according to the positions of the PCs 10A to 10D. I can do it. Further, even when the positions of the PCs 10A to 10D change, the radiation angle can be easily changed.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the angle at which the slot emits radio waves can be variably set.

Note that although the embodiment using the slot array antenna 411 has been described above, one slot may be used instead of the slot array antenna 411. In particular, when the beam width of even one slot is relatively narrow, being able to adjust the radiation angle is very meaningful. Furthermore, even when the beam width is relatively narrow and the radiation distance is relatively long even in one slot, it is very meaningful to be able to adjust the radiation angle.

Moreover, although the dielectric member 420 has two inclined parts 422 in the above description, the number of inclined parts 422 may be one. Further, instead of the inclined portion 422, the portions covering the slots 1 to 4 may have a stepped structure with different thicknesses. Further, the thickness may increase non-linearly instead of increasing linearly like the slope portion 422. For example, the thickness may increase nonlinearly by having a curved configuration in the XY plane view.

Alternatively, a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 may be used. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400S as a modification of the embodiment. Slot antenna device 400S includes a waveguide 410 and a dielectric member 420S. The dielectric member 420S has a base 421, two sloped parts 422, and two sloped parts 425. The dielectric member 420S has a configuration in which an inclined portion 425 is added to the dielectric member 420 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, 7, and 8. The sloped portion 425 is an example of the third section, and is thicker than the sloped portion 422, and the slope angle of the surface on the −Y direction side with respect to the X direction is set to be large.

If the dielectric member 420S is slid so that the inclined portion 425 covers the slot array antenna 411, the radiation angle of the beam in the Y direction can be further increased.

Moreover, although the embodiment in which the dielectric member 420 having different thicknesses in the X direction is used has been described above, a dielectric member 420M as shown in FIG. 12 may also be used. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400M as a modification of the embodiment.

Slot antenna device 400M includes a waveguide 410 and dielectric member 420M. In FIG. 12, the waveguide 410 is shown in a simplified manner, and the guide rail 415 (see FIG. 6) is omitted. Furthermore, the structure of the dielectric member 420M will also be simplified, and differences from the dielectric member 420 (see FIG. 6) will be explained.

The dielectric member 420M has a base portion 421M and two inclined portions 422M. The base portion 421M is an example of a first section of the dielectric member 420M, and the slope portion 422M is an example of a second section of the dielectric member 420M. The thickness of the base portion 421M and the two inclined portions 422M in the Y direction is constant.

The base portion 421M is a portion with a relative permittivity of ε ₀ . Furthermore, the two inclined portions 422M have a configuration in which the dielectric constant increases at regular intervals as the distance from the base portion 421M increases. More specifically, the inclined portion 422M has four sections (portions) arranged in the X direction, and the relative dielectric constants of the four sections are ε ₁ , ε ₂ , ε ₃ as the distance from the base 421M increases. , ε ₄ (ε ₀ <ε ₁ <ε ₂ <ε ₃ <ε ₄ ). The sloped portion 422M is a portion where the relative permittivity is sloped. The lengths of the four sections in the X direction are 1/4 of the length l.

Next, adjustment of the radiation angle in the slot antenna device 400M will be described using FIGS. 13 and 14 in addition to FIG. 12. 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the slot antenna device 400M.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the base 421M covers the slot array antenna 411, the thickness of the portion of the dielectric member 420M that covers slots 1 to 4 is all the same, and the relative dielectric constant ε ₀ is constant. The beam is emitted in the -Y direction, as indicated by the arrow in the upper figure of 12.

Furthermore, when the dielectric member 420M is slid by a length l in the −X direction from the state shown in FIG. 12, the inclined portion 422M in the +X direction comes to cover the slot array antenna 411, as shown in FIG.

In this state, the relative permittivity of the portion of the dielectric member 420M covering the slots 1 to 4 is such that slot 1 has the smallest relative permittivity ε ₁ , and slot 4 has the largest relative permittivity ε ₄ . Inside the dielectric material, a wavelength shortening effect occurs, and the larger the dielectric constant, the shorter the wavelength. Therefore, the radio waves emitted from slot 1 are the fastest, and the radio waves emitted from slot 4 are the slowest. Therefore, a beam generated by combining the radio waves emitted from slots 1 to 4 is deflected in the +X direction, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG.

That is, when the inclined portion 422M on the +X direction side covers the slot array antenna 411 as shown in FIG. 13, the radiation angle of the beam output from the slot array antenna 411 can be adjusted to the +X direction side.

Furthermore, when the dielectric member 420M is slid by a length l in the +X direction from the state shown in FIG. 12, the inclined portion 422M on the -X direction side will be in a state covering the slot array antenna 411, as shown in FIG.

In this state, the dielectric constant of the portion of the dielectric member 420M covering the slots 1 to 4 is the largest at ε ₄ for slot 1, and the smallest at ε ₁ for slot 4. Due to the wavelength shortening effect, the radio waves emitted from slot 1 become the slowest, and the radio waves emitted from slot 4 become the fastest. Therefore, a beam generated by combining the radio waves emitted from slots 1 to 4 is deflected in the -X direction, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the inclined portion 422M on the -X direction side covers the slot array antenna 411, the radiation angle of the beam output from the slot array antenna 411 can be adjusted in the -X direction side. .

As described above, even if the dielectric member 420M having the slope portion 422M with a slope in the relative dielectric constant is used, the same wavelength shortening effect as in the case of using the dielectric member 420 having a different thickness can be utilized. , the radiation angle of the beam can be adjusted.

Therefore, even in the modified example of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a slot antenna device 400M that can variably set the radiation angle of radio waves, a communication system, and a method of adjusting the radiation angle in the slot antenna device 400M.

In addition, although the dielectric member 420M has two inclined parts 422M described above, the number of inclined parts 422M may be only one. Furthermore, the dielectric constant of the inclined portion 422M may be configured to change continuously from ε ₁ to ε ₄ instead of changing stepwise.

Alternatively, a configuration as shown in FIG. 15 may be used. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a slot antenna device 400M2 as a modification of the embodiment. Slot antenna device 400M2 includes a waveguide 410 and dielectric member 420M2. Dielectric member 420M2 has a base 421M, two sloped parts 422M, and two sloped parts 425M. The dielectric member 420M2 has a configuration in which an inclined portion 425M is added to the dielectric member 420M shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. The inclined portion 425M is an example of the third section of the dielectric member 420M2, and is set to have a higher dielectric constant than the inclined portion 422M. Note that the thickness of the inclined portion 425M in the Y direction is equal to that of the base portion 421M and the inclined portion 422M.

The dielectric constants of the inclined portion 425M are set to ε ₅ , ε ₆ , ε ₇ , and ε ₈ from the one closest to the inclined portion 422M. The length in the X direction of the section where the dielectric constants are set to ε ₅ , ε ₆ , ε ₇ , and ε ₈ is the length of the section where the dielectric constants of the inclined portion 422M are set to ε ₁ , ε ₂ , ε ₃ , and ε ₄ . Similarly to the length of the section in the X direction, it is 1/4 of the length l. Furthermore, the relative dielectric constants ε ₅ , ε ₆ , ε ₇ , and ε ₈ are set to satisfy the relationship ε ₄ <ε ₅ <ε ₆ <ε ₇ <ε ₈ .

Therefore, the inclined portion 422M has a configuration in which the dielectric constant of the inclined portions 422M and 425M increases stepwise as the distance from the base portion 421M increases.

If the dielectric member 420M2 is slid so that the inclined portion 425M covers the slot array antenna 411, the radiation angle of the beam with respect to the Y direction can be further increased.

Although the slot antenna device, the communication system, and the method of adjusting the radiation angle in the slot antenna device according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Regarding the above embodiments, the following additional notes are further disclosed.
(Additional note 1)
a waveguide;
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a dielectric member having a second section covering the slot at a position, the dielectric member having a dielectric constant or thickness different between the first section and the second section.
(Additional note 2)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 1, wherein the dielectric member has the same dielectric constant and different thickness in the first section and the second section.
(Additional note 3)
The slot antenna device according to supplementary note 2, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is thicker than the thickness in the first section.
(Additional note 4)
The dielectric member has two second sections, the two second sections are located on both sides of the first section, and the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to that in the first section. The slot antenna device according to supplementary note 2, which is thicker than the thickness of the dielectric member.
(Appendix 5)
5. The slot antenna device according to appendix 3 or 4, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section becomes thicker as the distance from the first section increases.
(Appendix 6)
The slot is a slot array antenna including a plurality of slots provided along the extending direction of the waveguide, and the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to or smaller than the plurality of slots included in the slot array antenna. The slot antenna device according to appendix 5, which is different for each of the slots.
(Appendix 7)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 6, wherein the second section of the dielectric member is an inclined portion that becomes thicker as it gets farther from the first section.
(Appendix 8)
The dielectric member is provided on the opposite side of the second section from the first section, has the same dielectric constant as the first section and the second section, and has a thickness greater than that of the second section. 8. The slot antenna device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 7, further comprising a thick third section.
(Appendix 9)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 1, wherein the dielectric member has the same thickness and different dielectric constants in the first section and the second section.
(Appendix 10)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 9, wherein the dielectric constant in the second section of the dielectric member is larger than the dielectric constant in the first section.
(Appendix 11)
The dielectric member has two second sections, the two second sections are located on both sides of the first section, and the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to or greater than the first section. The slot antenna device according to appendix 9, wherein the dielectric constant is larger than the dielectric constant of the dielectric member in .
(Appendix 12)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 10 or 11, wherein the dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section increases as the distance from the first section increases.
(Appendix 13)
The slot is a slot array antenna including a plurality of slots provided along the extending direction of the waveguide, and the dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to the dielectric constant of the dielectric member included in the slot array antenna. The slot antenna device according to appendix 12, which is different for each of the plurality of slots.
(Appendix 14)
The dielectric member is provided on the opposite side of the second section from the first section, has the same thickness as the first section and the second section, and has a dielectric constant higher than that of the second section. 14. The slot antenna device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 10 to 13, further having a third section with a large ratio.
(Appendix 15)
The slot antenna device according to appendix 1, wherein the second section of the dielectric member has a relative dielectric constant or a thickness that increases as the distance from the first section increases.
(Appendix 16)
base station;
A communication system comprising: a waveguide connected to a signal input/output terminal of the base station,
The waveguide is
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a second section covering the slot at a position, the dielectric member having a dielectric constant or thickness different between the first section and the second section.
(Appendix 17)
a waveguide;
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a dielectric member having a second section covering the slot at a position, the first section and the second section having different dielectric constants or thicknesses. An adjustment method,
A method for adjusting a radiation angle in a slot antenna device, comprising sliding the dielectric member to position it at either the first slide position or the second slide position.

100, 100M1, 100M2, 100M3 Slot antenna device 110, 110M1, 110M2, 110M3 Waveguide 111, 111A, 111B, 111C Slot 200 eNodeB
300 Communication system 400, 400M Slot antenna device 410 Waveguide 420, 420M Dielectric member 421, 421M Base 422, 422M Slanted part

Claims (17)

a waveguide;
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a dielectric member having a second section covering the slot at a position, the dielectric member having a dielectric constant or thickness different between the first section and the second section. 2. The slot antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric member has the same dielectric constant and different thickness in the first section and the second section. The slot antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is thicker than the thickness in the first section. The dielectric member has two second sections, the two second sections are located on both sides of the first section, and the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to that in the first section. The slot antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the slot antenna device is thicker than the thickness of the dielectric member. 5. The slot antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section increases as the distance from the first section increases. The slot is a slot array antenna including a plurality of slots provided along the extending direction of the waveguide, and the thickness of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to or smaller than the plurality of slots included in the slot array antenna. 6. The slot antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the slot antenna device is different for each of the slots. 7. The slot antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the second section of the dielectric member is an inclined part that becomes thicker as it gets farther away from the first section. The dielectric member is provided on the opposite side of the second section from the first section, has the same dielectric constant as the first section and the second section, and has a thickness greater than that of the second section. The slot antenna device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a thick third section. 2. The slot antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric member has the same thickness and different dielectric constants in the first section and the second section. 10. The slot antenna device according to claim 9, wherein a dielectric constant in the second section of the dielectric member is larger than a dielectric constant in the first section. The dielectric member has two second sections, the two second sections are located on both sides of the first section, and the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to or greater than the first section. 10. The slot antenna device according to claim 9, wherein the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric member is larger than that of the dielectric member. 12. The slot antenna device according to claim 10, wherein the dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section increases as the distance from the first section increases. The slot is a slot array antenna including a plurality of slots provided along the extending direction of the waveguide, and the dielectric constant of the dielectric member in the second section is equal to the dielectric constant of the dielectric member included in the slot array antenna. The slot antenna device according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of slots is different. The dielectric member is provided on the opposite side of the second section from the first section, has the same thickness as the first section and the second section, and has a dielectric constant higher than that of the second section. The slot antenna device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a third section with a large ratio. 2. The slot antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the second section of the dielectric member has a relative dielectric constant or a thickness that increases as the distance from the first section increases. base station;
A communication system comprising: a waveguide connected to a signal input/output terminal of the base station,
The waveguide is
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a second section covering the slot at a position, the dielectric member having a dielectric constant or thickness different between the first section and the second section. a waveguide;
a slot provided in a side wall of the waveguide;
a first section that is slidably attached to the waveguide in the extending direction of the waveguide with respect to the slot and covers the slot at a first slide position; and a second slide that is adjacent to the first slide position. a dielectric member having a second section covering the slot at a position, the first section and the second section having different dielectric constants or thicknesses. An adjustment method,
A method for adjusting a radiation angle in a slot antenna device, comprising sliding the dielectric member to position it at either the first slide position or the second slide position.

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